MANILA, Philippines — Kevin Racal fueled a strong Hog’s Breath Cafe windup as the Razorbacks rallied to a 73-63 triumph Tuesday over a Blackwater Sports squad that couldn’t buy a bucket in the endgame in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at Trinity University of Asia Gym.
Racal teamed up with Jamil Gabawan and Paul Sanga to score all but two of the team’s last 17 points in a crucial victory that propped up the Razorbacks’ bid for the quarterfinal bonus with a fourth-best 9-4 record.
“We forced some stops and scored on fastbreaks,” said Razorbacks coach Caloy Garcia.
The Elite, the champion last conference, surprisingly missed all field goal attempts in the last six minutes while nailing only half of eight free throws.
While the Razorbacks stayed in the hunt for the twice-to-beat bonus, Cebuana Lhuillier dealt Cagayan Valley a crushing blow to its own bid with a 76-68 stunner.
The Gems, already out of contention at 5-6, controlled the game virtually all the way behind the 20-point effort of James Martinez.
“We may be out of the playoffs but our remaining games still mean a lot to my players,” said coach Boycie Zamar after his Gems’ upset win pushed Cagayan down to fifth at 8-4.
The scores:
First Game
CEBUANA LHUILLIER 76—Martinez 20, Bustos 9, Sumang 8, Gamalinda 8, Zamar 8, Olivares 6, Banal 6, Leynes 5, Paredes 4, Javier 2, Flores 0.
CAGAYAN VALLEY 68—Trollano 17, Bringas 15, Mercader 10, Melano 10, Ighalo 7, Mabulac 4, Cruz 2, Parala 2, Pinto 1, Jamito 0, Celada 0, Gonzales 0, Collado 0, Foronda 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 40-30, 59-46, 76-68
Second Game
HOG’S BREATH CAFE 73—Racal 14, Gabawan 10, Sanga 10, Paniamogan 9, Terso 9, Austria 5, Publico 4, Ruaya 4, Pasculado 4, Rios 4, Allera 0, Macasaet 0, Belorio 0.
BLACKWATER SPORTS 63—Cruz 14, Mangahas 13, Bulawan 9, Austria 7, Ferrer 6, Llagas 6, Ciriacruz 5, Acibar 3, Reyes 0, Bagatsing 0, Pe 0.
Quarters: 16-14, 33-27, 48-53, 73-63